Celebrating 90 years

Niky House for the Daily News

Updated
9:15 am EDT, Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Edith Woods, center, leans over to speak with Alice Owens as Marie Berlin, left, and Florence Berlin, right, look on during Alice, Marie and Florence's 90th birthday party on Saturday at the Greater Midland Community Center. less

Edith Woods, center, leans over to speak with Alice Owens as Marie Berlin, left, and Florence Berlin, right, look on during Alice, Marie and Florence's 90th birthday party on Saturday at the Greater Midland ... more

Photo: Nick King | Nking@mdn.net

Photo: Nick King | Nking@mdn.net

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Edith Woods, center, leans over to speak with Alice Owens as Marie Berlin, left, and Florence Berlin, right, look on during Alice, Marie and Florence's 90th birthday party on Saturday at the Greater Midland Community Center. less

Edith Woods, center, leans over to speak with Alice Owens as Marie Berlin, left, and Florence Berlin, right, look on during Alice, Marie and Florence's 90th birthday party on Saturday at the Greater Midland ... more

Photo: Nick King | Nking@mdn.net

Celebrating 90 years

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Not everyone can say that they have attended the 90th birthday party of three sisters-in-law, except for the family and friends of Florence Berlin, Alice Owens and Marie Berlin, who gathered to wish them well at the Greater Midland Community Center Saturday afternoon.

Marie’s birthday was in April, Florence’s birthday is in May and Owens’ birthday is in June.

Grace Berlin of Midland says there is one word to describe her grandmother, Florence, and that is caring.

“We always play cards, every Saturday; she enjoys that very much. She’s just remarkable,” Grace said. “She always cares about what I’m doing in school, where I’m going to … I love her so much.”

Grace helped out with food and decorations at the party.

The cake, with purple and pink icing flowers, sat next to framed pictures of the ladies through the years and white binders with family histories.

Kathy Graebner of Midland is Alice’s daughter. In front of one photo album, there is an invitation to the party which read: “Fabulous Since 1925.” She made the invitation and helped to organize the party with her cousins and other family members.

“It was fun to create the invitation,” Graebner said.

Her mom, she says, is up for most adventures.

“Alice, if you invite her, she’ll never tell you no; she always is a good sport,” Graebner said. “She lives next door to me. I went over in the Gator and asked her to come with me to look at trilliums, and she does — that’s my mom.”

Marie, who most know as Mary, says she still likes to bowl and to feed the birds.

“Darn right, I’ve got to stay in shape,” Mary said. “This is a beautiful reunion, it’s like a family reunion. Fantastic.”

Tom Schaefer likes to dote on his Aunt Mary, his mother Helen’s sister. Helen, he said, passed away in 1996.

Schaefer shared some family history. He mentioned his mother’s siblings, “Edith, Mary, Matt and George.” He said their last name was Kocisky and he talked about the old Kocisky farm.

He still takes Edith, also in her nineties, and Mary bowling.

“It’s a blessing to me, four hours every Monday, to get to see them,” Schaefer said.

Larry and Angie Berlin came from California to attend the event.

“Mary Berlin is my mother-in-law; she is 90 and she still bowls … she’s still mobile,” Angie said. “I should be so lucky.”

The purple lilac, white rose centerpieces, and the corsages that family gave to the birthday girls, added a special touch. Everyone wore a name tag, and family members were catching up with one another; some were snapping photos with a camera, phone or tablet.

Jan Avery of Midland, also Alice’s daughter, was happy with the turnout. She helped with reserving the room.

“This is wonderful, there are over 100 people,” Avery said. “The Barstow is a great place for a party.”

Carol Wierman of Midland helped with preparing food for the party. Her siblings take turns helping their mother, Florence, with groceries and taking her out to dinner.

“Every week I do her hair,” Wierman said. “I’m extremely happy with the party … so glad they all are still here.”

The honorees all had a similar response to the party. Florence summed it up: “My favorite part is seeing all the people I haven’t seen for years and years.”